Celtic vs Rangers

The GOAT of Scottish Football?

In the world of football, it is hard to find a rivalry as intense, complex, and sometimes dangerous as Glasgow’s ‘Old Firm’ derby. The clash between Celtic FC and Rangers FC is not just a 90-minute football match. It is living history itself, a crucible where conflicts of religion, politics, national identity, and social class have simmered for over 130 years.

This article, from the perspective of 2025, will delve deep into the foundational pillars that have shaped this rivalry, moving beyond the short-term form of the clubs. We will explore the historical background, cultural identities, and the immortal legends who have represented the heart and soul of each club. Through their stories, we will come to understand why the Old Firm is more than just a derby; it is the most primal and fierce human drama that the sport of football can contain.

1. The Birth of Giants: Contrasting Origins

Celtic FC: A Banner of Hope for the Poor

The origin story of Celtic is one of the most noble and unique in the history of football clubs.

On November 6, 1887, Brother Walfrid, a Catholic Marist Brother, founded a football club with the purpose of helping the impoverished Irish immigrant community in Glasgow’s East End. It was established to raise funds for ‘The Poor Children’s Dinner Table.’
The club’s name was chosen as ‘Celtic’ to symbolize the common roots of Irish and Scottish culture. It became more than just a football team; it was a focal point that gave pride and identity to the Irish immigrants who were marginalized in Scottish society.

Rangers FC: The Pure Passion of Scotland’s Youth

In contrast to Celtic’s origins, the beginning of Rangers stemmed from a pure passion for football.

In March 1872, four teenage boys—Moses McNeil, Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell, and William McBeath—came up with the idea of creating a football club while walking through a park in Glasgow. In its early days, Rangers was not associated with any religious or political ideology.
Its present-day Protestant, Unionist identity was gradually formed as a counterpoint to its rival after the emergence of Celtic and amidst the social and political changes in Glasgow in the early 20th century.

2. A Clash of Beliefs: The Culture and Identity of the Old Firm

The Green Wave: Celtic’s Irish Nationalism and Catholic Heritage

Celtic’s identity is summarized as being ‘a Scottish club with an Irish soul.’ At their stadium, Irish tricolors fly, and Irish folk songs like “The Fields of Athenry” and sometimes ‘rebel songs’ celebrating Irish independence are sung. The fans call themselves the ‘Bhoys’ (an Irish spelling) to show pride in the club’s Irish lineage.

The Sea of Blue: Rangers’ Scottish Unionism and Protestant Identity

Rangers’ identity stands on the exact opposite side of Celtic’s. They are an icon of Scottish Protestantism and Unionism, symbolizing loyalty to the United Kingdom. The fans call themselves ‘The Gers,’ and at their stadium, the Union Jack flutters alongside the Scottish flag.

3. Hallowed Grounds and Roaring Crowds: The Hearts of the Two Clubs

Celtic Park and Ibrox Stadium

Celtic Park: Built in 1892 through the dedicated labor of countless volunteer fans, it is affectionately known as ‘Paradise.’ It is one of the most atmospheric stadiums in Europe.
Ibrox Stadium: Opened in 1899, its iconic red-brick main stand was designed by the era’s foremost architect, Archibald Leitch. It has a history of overcoming two major disasters to be reborn as one of the most modern stadiums in Britain.

The Roar from the Stands: The Club Anthems

Celtic: “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” which they share with Liverpool, has become a symbol of solidarity and hope, commemorating victims and standing against unjust authority. Various other songs depicting Irish history are also sung.
Rangers: Their official anthem, “Follow Follow,” expresses the fans’ unwavering loyalty to the club. Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” is also widely sung as a song symbolizing the confidence of their golden era in the 1990s.

4. The Pantheons: 10 Legends Who Defined the Clubs

Celtic’s Pantheon

Jimmy Johnstone: ‘Jinky.’ The immortal icon voted the ‘Greatest Ever Celt’ by fans in 2002. A key member of the 1967 ‘Lisbon Lions.’
Billy McNeill: ‘Cesar.’ The greatest captain in Celtic’s history and the man who captained the first British club to lift the European Cup.
Henrik Larsson: ‘The King of Kings.’ A Swedish goalscorer who netted 242 goals in 315 games over seven years. Winner of the European Golden Shoe in 2001.
Kenny Dalglish: One of the greatest players in Scottish history who was already a king at Celtic before becoming ‘King Kenny’ at Liverpool.
Paul McStay: ‘The Maestro.’ A loyal one-club man and captain who defended Celtic through its dark ages in the 1980s and 90s.
Jimmy McGrory: ‘The Human Torpedo.’ A legend who holds the all-time British top-flight goalscoring record with 522 official goals.
Danny McGrain: A legendary full-back who commanded Celtic’s flank for 17 years. A symbol of resilience who overcame adversity.
Bobby Lennox: ‘Buzz Bomb.’ Another key member of the Lisbon Lions and the club’s second all-time leading goalscorer.
Patsy Gallacher: ‘The Mighty Atom.’ Celtic’s first great star of the early 20th century. Famous for the legend of scoring by somersaulting into the goal with the ball between his feet.
Scott Brown: A modern icon. As captain, he led the team to 10 league titles, including a ‘Quadruple Treble.’

Rangers’ Pantheon

John Greig: Voted the ‘Greatest Ever Ranger’ by fans in 1999, he is a living symbol of the club. Captained the team to the 1972 Cup Winners’ Cup victory.
Ally McCoist: ‘Super Ally.’ The club’s all-time leading goalscorer (355 goals). Won 10 league titles and two consecutive European Golden Shoes.
Jim Baxter: ‘Slim Jim.’ An artist regarded as the greatest Scottish football genius of the 1960s.
Davie Cooper: A magician who dominated the left wing for Rangers for 12 years. A classic winger with a God-given left foot.
Sandy Jardine: A legendary defender who played for 16 years. The club’s second all-time appearance holder. The ‘Sandy Jardine Stand’ at Ibrox is named after him.
Richard Gough: The great captain who led the team to the legendary ‘9-in-a-row’ league titles.
Brian Laudrup: The Danish genius who added flair and artistry to the golden era of the 1990s.
Barry Ferguson: The best star produced by the Rangers youth academy and a midfielder who served as captain on two separate occasions.
Andy Goram: ‘The Goalie.’ The guardian of the ‘9-in-a-row’ era, the greatest goalkeeper in Rangers’ history.
Paul Gascoigne: ‘Gazza.’ The English football genius who, though for a short period, shook the Scottish football scene.

The Final Whistle: A Comprehensive Comparison and Conclusion

The Trophy Cabinet: The Weight of Glory

Competition	Celtic	Rangers
Scottish League	55	55
Scottish Cup	42	34
Scottish League Cup	22	28
European Cup / Champions League	1 (1967)	0
UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup	0	1 (1972)
Total Major Trophies	120	118

The Shadow of 2012: Rangers’ Liquidation and Revival

The financial collapse and liquidation of Rangers in 2012 added new fuel to the rivalry. The saga of their revival—starting again from the fourth tier and finally reclaiming the league title after 10 years in the 2020-21 season—added an image of indomitability to Rangers’ modern identity.

Conclusion: Eternal Rivals Who Define Each Other

If Celtic began from charity and immigrant identity to become a symbol of inclusion and resistance, Rangers started from a pure passion for sports and established itself as an icon of Scotland’s mainstream values and Unionism.

The question ‘Which club is greater?’ is meaningless. One thing is clear: without these two giants, Scottish football would not receive the global attention it does today. They hate each other, but paradoxically, it is through each other’s existence that they confirm and complete their own identities. The Old Firm is not just a football match; it is the beating heart of the city of Glasgow and a mirror that reflects the complex history of Scottish society.